# Letter 157: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Clarissa writes to Anna Howe expressing her displeasure with Lovelace for his boldness and untruths. She describes her interactions with the widow and her nieces, noting her discomfort and suspicion that they are more familiar with Lovelace than they appear. Lovelace departs on a journey, leaving Clarissa with a bank note and his servant William, while she contemplates writing to her uncle Harlowe.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Clarissa suspects the widow and nieces of insincerity and hidden familiarity with Lovelace, highlighting the theme of deceptive appearances.

### Female Agency and Virtue

Clarissa asserts her desire to dine alone and maintain her own standards, resisting Lovelace's attempts to control her social interactions.

## Character check-ins

### Clarissa Harlowe

Expresses displeasure with Lovelace's boldness and reflects on her interactions with the widow and nieces.

### Robert Lovelace

Sends compliments via Dorcas, departs on a journey, and leaves a bank note for Clarissa.

### Anna Howe

Recipient of Clarissa's letter; Clarissa shares her observations and feelings.

### Dorcas Wykes

Delivers Lovelace's compliments to Clarissa.

### Sally Martin

One of the widow's nieces; Clarissa notes her jealousy and discomfort with her behavior.

### Polly Horton

Another niece; Clarissa finds her and Sally's behavior suspicious and overly familiar with Lovelace.

## Key lines

> I am more and more displeased with Mr. Lovelace, on reflection, for his boldness in hoping to make me, though but passively, as I may say, testify to his great untruth.

Clarissa is increasingly angry with Lovelace for expecting her to silently support his lie.

_Clarissa's displeasure with Lovelace's manipulation._

> The widow directed all her talk to me, as to Mrs. Lovelace; and I, with a very ill grace bore it.

The widow addressed Clarissa as Mrs. Lovelace, which Clarissa found very uncomfortable.

_Clarissa's discomfort with being called Mrs. Lovelace._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-157-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters